Micro-Financed Loans Unlock Affordable Housing

Patrimonio Hoy is a financing and development programme for low-income families in Latin America who want to build their own homes.

Patrimonio Hoy is a programme offered by Cemex, an international building materials company. The programme offers technical assistance, financing, building materials and construction services to low-income families. Offices are currently located in 56 cities in five countries, and they employ local architects as well as a network of local promoters. The promoters have often benefited from the scheme before, and are usually trusted, well-known members of their communities.

As long as families have a building plot, those interested in participating in Patrimonio Hoy receive comprehensive advice from an architect who works directly with them to design a custom house plan. Micro-financing options are tailormade to suit the needs of the families, so can include weekly or bi-weekly loan payback options, allowing low-income families to access financing for housing previously unavailable to them.

Why you should care

Up to 1.6 billion people in urban areas could struggle to secure decent housing by 2025. Cemex are addressing this challenge and have benefited over 2.3 million people in Latin America with decent housing through Patrimonio Hoy, in accordance with their housing needs and repayment abilities. Through a micro-credit scheme without prerequisites and with comfortable repayment options, families can completely transform their housing situation.

How the Global Goals are addressed

Good health and well-beingThere are many health benefits associated with improved housing quality, including reduced exposure to high temperatures and improved sanitation.

Gender EqualityThe majority of the Patrimonio Hoy workforce consists of women who have benefitted from the scheme already. They are familiar with the challenges of affordable housing for families.

Reduced InequalitiesBy offering a micro-finance scheme for housing, Patrimonio Hoy breaks down the barriers to home ownership for low income families, thereby reducing inequalities.

Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesPatrimonio Hoy helps to prevent the development and sprawl of slums in urban settlements, by offering affordable housing financing options for low income families.

About Cemex

Cemex is a company focused on creating sustainable value by providing products and solutions to satisfy the construction needs of our customers around the world.